Children who seek asylum to get support

Vulnerable asylum seekers in Scotland will get better support thanks to fresh guidelines drawn up to help social workers.

Unison Scotland and the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) have published a new legal guide to help asylum seekers and refugees get the services they are entitled to.

The organisations said it was concerning that many vulnerable children did not get the support they needed, particularly those who arrive illegally either through their own efforts or by trafficking.

Stephen Smellie, convener of Unison’s social work committee, said: “It is increasingly common for social workers across Scotland to have to intervene in the lives of asylum seekers and their children, who have come to this country from devastated areas of the world.

“For many social workers this is a complex legal framework, which is new to them. It can be distressing to be caring for such vulnerable children who are denied the vital support they need.

“Theguidewearelaunching today provides general guidance, sign posts and more detailed information sources.

“It will give social workers more confidence that they are doing the right thing, especially for vulnerable asylum seeker children.”